# CO (carbon monoxide) and health **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 12, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546 "2003-12-12T06:53:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546/1 "2003-12-12T06:53:48Z")
My roommie and I have been feeling like crap for a couple weeks, irritable, don’t want to wake up, general malaise. Unrelated to that, my bud got a friend in the buisiness to check CO levels in the old gas furnace. He said CO levels were waay damn high. Not near enough to kill, but he said it was high enough to affect us. My question is, will CO poisoning cause us to feel like that. and is two or three weeks exposure enough to have long term effects. Yes, I have researched this but i guess I am looking for anecdotal stuff from you all. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546/2 "2003-12-12T10:48:11Z")
**#1 - GET YOUR FURNACE FIXED - NOW!** Yes, those are classic CO-poisoning symptoms. Once you are away from the CO source you will start to recover. Depending on the dose you received, this may take hours to days. As far as I know, there is no _long-term_ effect from chronic, _low-level_ exposure. It is possible to get hit with a high enough dose to cause brain damage (or even death). So get that furnace fixed, pronto! ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546/3 "2003-12-12T13:30:17Z")
Whoa! This is _strange_! I just finished giving a PowerPoint presentation on “Carbon Monoxide Hazards” an hour ago. If you like, I can send you the slide show. **Broomstick** is absolutely correct about CO poisoning… are you an IH, by any chance, **Broomstick**? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546/4 "2003-12-12T15:03:03Z")
Just to pile on. **Do Not turn on the furnace again until it is fixed** or the next time you go to sleep it might be the last. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546/5 "2003-12-13T02:54:11Z")
I’m not sure what “IH” is - industrial hygiene? I did have a bad experience once in a car with a leaky exhaust, but most of what I know about CO poisoning I learned after my oldest sister died from an overdose of the same. Any further questions? **Klaatu** - get the damn furnace fixed, OK? I didn’t have a chance to save my sister - you, on the other had, I have an opportunity to reach. Is that the sort of anecdote you were looking for? I try not to panic folks, but if that’s what it takes, well, yes, I’ll do it. Please let me know when things are fixed, and buy a CO detector. Dopers are too precious to lose, particularly to something completely preventable. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546/6 "2003-12-13T03:00:40Z")
> [@](#): > > **Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly** > > You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Fetuses, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible. Be safe. Practice the DO’s and DON’Ts of carbon monoxide. > > **CO Poisoning Symptoms** > > Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause. > > **Play it Safe** > > If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning: > > DO GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house. > > DO GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM and tell the physician you suspect CO poisoning. If CO poisoning has occurred, it can often be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure. > > DO Be prepared to answer the following questions for the doctor: > > Do your symptoms occur only in the house? Do they disappear or decrease when you leave home and reappear when you return? > > Is anyone else in your household complaining of similar symptoms? Did everyone’s symptoms appear about the same time? > > Are you using any fuel-burning appliances in the home? > Has anyone inspected your appliances lately? Are you certain they are working properly? > > **Prevention is the Key to Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning** > > DO have your fuel-burning appliances – including oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves – inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season. Make certain that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked. > > DO choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible, have them properly installed, and maintain them according to manufacturers’ instructions. > > DO read and follow all of the instructions that accompany any fuel-burning device. If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, carefully follow the cautions that come with the device. Use the proper fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open. Crack a window to ensure enough air for ventilation and proper fuel-burning. > > DO call EPA’s IAQ INFO Clearinghouse (1-800-438-4318) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (1-800-638- 2772) for more information on how to reduce your risks from CO and other combustion gases and particles. > > DON’T idle the car in a garage – even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home. > > DON’T use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time. > > DON’T ever use a charcoal grill indoors – even in a fireplace. > > DON’T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater. > > DON’T use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces. > > DON’T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. Source: [http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html](http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html) ---
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546/7 "2003-12-13T04:54:33Z")
Thank you all, and in particular, Broomstick for giving me the lowdown. The landlord has been called, the boys should be out tomorrow to replace the unit. I knew I was feeling strange for some reason. Again, much obliged to all you all. ---
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-carbon-monoxide-and-health/218546/8 "2003-12-13T04:58:09Z")
And Duckster, thanks for the straight dope on this as well.